Observations of a Serial Expat

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Pictures of strangers

When I was a child, my mother always said that she enjoyed watching the people at the zoo more than the animals. I have inherited her tendencies. While touring historic sites is intrinsically interesting, observing other people touring historic sites is a guilty delight! (And one that I liberally indulged in while in Istanbul.)

The woman dressed in all-orange at Aya Sofya (above) drew my eye immediately. Can you see her shimmery crystal hair clips? Have you noticed that her backpack is the exact same shade of orange as her winter suit? Watching her was interesting. Watching every single other person in Aya Sofya watch her, was fascinating.

I not only people-watched my way through Istanbul, I also started taking pictures of other people taking pictures. Partially this is due to me having a new fab camera that allows me to “shoot from the hip” using a swivel LCD screen. Partially this is because I fancy myself an amateur anthropologist of global humanity (like Jane Goodall with the chimps, only I don’t go deep enough to pick out ticks).

With little useful news on my “where next?” expat question, I instead present my odd gallery of photographs of strangers taking photographs in Istanbul. Are you serendipitously featured? Do tell!

There is something great about tourist watching. People complain about popular sights because they’re too crowded without realising this special joy.

Mainly, though, I just want one of those orange jumpsuits, and wanted to ask you if the woman in question finds herself and replies, can you ask her for me if we can do a deal on it? I presume she rarely wears outfits more than once, so it’s probably up for grabs by now. I’d hold out for a yellow one with black stripes but I don’t want to send the wrong message.

It’s hard to tell sometimes so let me emphasise that I genuinely do like the orange jumpsuit and I’m just wondering if I’m young enough to get away with it still.

Do you plan to visit Hong Kong anytime soon? If so, you can easily nip across the border to Shenzhen, China and, with this photo in hand, have a tailor whip out a copy in any and every color you fancy. Given Singapore’s steamy hot weather, however, you’ll need to plan to wear it inside one of the many air conditioned shopping malls to keep cool!

I frequently want to take pictures of strangers doing stuff but feel a little uncomfortable about it. My sense is that, since I only have a small point-n-shoot, it’s somehow more intrusive. People walking around with those big SLRs hanging from their bodies come across as “real” photographers and no one seems to mind when they squat in weird positions to capture groups of ppl engaged in some activity.

Am I paranoid, or is this a thing? I have lots of awkward photos of people glaring at me that I attribute to this, but it could just be they don’t like the look of me.

The best part about taking pictures of tourists in tourist sites, is that everyone has their camera out and is busily gapping at everything. Hence it’s extremely easy to take their photographs without them even noticing.

Jen, during your last visit to the mainland, did you notice anyone trying to sneak in a shot of you? Bonus points if they were doing it where there were also “no photo” signs, such as in immigration halls or museums.

I’ve never noticed anyone trying to take a sly pic of me in the Mainland. But folks in (or from) the Mainland are always trying to take pictures of my kids. Sometimes they ask, sometimes they just boldly take them and sometimes they try to sneak. Can’t think if it happening in immigration halls. It doesn’t bother me, but it drives my 7 year old daughter insane. She generally runs from them or hides her head under her jacket.